Breasts come in all different shapes and sizes. Some females have small breasts. Some have large breasts. Most have asymmetrical breasts. Females often compare their breasts to those of actresses, musicians, models, friends, and even their own mothers. It is easy to love other women’s breasts, but it is important to love your own.

The Media

We are constantly bombarded by media depictions of large-breasted women every day. Sex appeal is a marketing technique frequently used by the food, automotive, and fashion industries as well as just about every other product or service provider out there. A television viewer or a magazine reader may not even consciously notice the large breasts of models but still feel uncomfortable with their own breast size. Small breasts are also portrayed in the media, usually in athletic wear commercials or when promoting other fitness-related products. Contrary to popular belief, large-breasted women may be envious of smaller-breasted women.

Society

Various cultures around the world have beauty norms that differ from those of Western civilizations such as the United States. We construct ideologies about beauty, femininity, and fertility through literature, films, narratives, and some argue, biology. Women from all around the world may be self-conscious about their breast size, symmetry, nipple orientation, and breast texture. It is important to support both men and women in one’s community in regards to their body image.

What to Do

It is important to remember that as consumers of media, we are susceptible to developing low self-esteem when constantly exposed to “ideal” bodies. Try to remember that many actresses, models, and performers employ personal trainers, dieticians, and even plastic surgeons to help them create and maintain their bodies. High-profile individuals are often under constant scrutiny for their looks, which can be mentally damaging and tiresome—nothing to be jealous of. Remind yourself that almost all the images of women you see in magazines and on billboards are photoshopped. Digital artists can easily airbrush a photo to create cleavage lines, move nipples, and adjust skin color. The next time you see a photo of a model, see if you can spot the photo-editing flaws that are sometimes left behind on airbrushed photos of seemingly perfect-looking models.

Surround yourself with friends and family who support you. Friends who constantly criticize their own breasts may make you feel increasingly self-conscious about your own. Have a sense of humor. Breasts can be hilarious. The ability to laugh about your own breasts can be empowering. Do not take your breasts so seriously. They are just boobs. There are countless other facets to a woman’s identity. If you find yourself feeling sad about your breasts not filling out a dress nicely, remember that you are more than just your looks. You have a brain, hobbies, and achievements. You may volunteer or have a successful career. You may give people good advice, be a good caretaker, or excel at math. They are just boobs. They are not you.

Partner Opinions

For years, women have obsessed about their breasts and their power to attract a mate. Some women stuff their bras with toilet paper while others buy padded push-up bras in order to make their breasts look larger or flaunt their already large breasts. It may be hard to believe, but most partners do not care about breast size and appearance. In fact, the “false advertising” produced by stuffing one’s bra may actually turn away future partners. Many men and women find confidence the most sexy. You can be attractive with small breasts, and attractive with large breasts, but displaying negativity and low self-esteem makes you neither attractive nor confident.

What to Do

Don’t speak badly of your breasts unless it is a constructive comment that leads to healing and boosts your self-esteem. Ignore or combat comments from others that make you feel diminished and unappreciated. Let your partner love your breasts even if you do not love them yet. Seeing your partner entranced and impassioned by your breasts may help you begin to like them more. Do not reject compliments because you are uncomfortable with your breasts.

The Grass is Always Greener

We often want what we do not have, breasts included. Of course, there are positive and negative aspects to both large and small breasts. Large breasts, for example, may be heavy and cause a woman serious back pain and difficulty exercising. It may be difficult for a woman to be taken seriously when people are more focused on her large chest. Clothes shopping can be a nightmare for women who do not want to show cleavage but still want to wear current trends. On the other hand, smaller breasts may not fill out shirts and dresses that are cut for a larger bosom. Small-breasted women may feel uncomfortable at public beaches or in jacuzzis where their breasts are on display and feel inadequate compared to other large-breasted women. Women with small breasts may feel more pressure to enhance other parts of their body, like their face and buttocks by wearing makeup and working out. Some women with small breasts even struggle with their gender identity as adolescents because their peers undergo puberty and grow larger breasts, or they are mistaken for boys due to their flat-chestedness.

Try to love the breasts you were born with, and realize everyone is insecure about something in their life. Learning to love your breasts can be difficult, but it is possible with positive friends, media literacy, and a sense of humor. If a woman has the means, she can pursue breast augmentation. Plastic surgeons perform many breast implant procedures as well as many breast reduction procedures in the United States. However, breast augmentation is not for everyone. These procedures can have tremendous positive and negative effects on a person’s body image, self-esteem, and health. Curious women should research cosmetic surgery heavily before they make this life-altering decision. Remember, breasts are just breasts; they are a minute part of what makes you YOU.

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